Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet snow avalanches will be increasingly possible on any slope with snow today. Start early and consider moving away from avalanche terrain as slopes become wet and unsupportable. Keep the slopes above you in mind and minimize your exposure to overhead hazards as you plan your exit later in the day. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches will become possible soon after the sun comes up today. Most recent avalanches have been small and on easterly aspects. A few large slides have occurred on high-elevation, northeast-facing slopes as dry-ish snow starts to feel the heat. You're most likely to find the problem on steep slopes near rocks and cliffs. 

    The best way to minimize exposure to this hazard will be to start and end your tour early. Unsupportable wet snow means the problem is getting worse. Rollerballs and recent avalanches mean the snow is already too wet, and it’s time to move to slopes with lower slope angles and minimal overhead hazards.

    (3/19/2026)

    D2 wet loose avalanche on the east aspect of Basin Mountain initiated under the rocks at 11,000 ft. Likely failed 3/18.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Very warm temperatures and multiple nights without an adequate freeze mean that meltwater continues to move through the snowpack. Buried weaker layers mid-pack and near the ground still exist on northerly aspects at higher elevations. We haven't had any reports of slab avalanches yet, but a large to very large wet avalanche was observed south of the forecast area in a high, northeast-facing couloir on Wednesday. This is the same aspect and elevation where we suspect a wet slab problem. The likelihood of a wet slab avalanche is low, but the consequences would be high. Reducing your exposure to steep slopes is the best strategy to manage this hazard. Starting and ending early may help increase your safety margins.

    (2/24/2026)

    Large natural avalanche on Table Mountain 

    Photo: Greg Cunningham

Avalanche Discussion

Record-breaking March temperatures have climbed a few degrees each day, and the weather forecast calls for peak warming today. Natural wet loose avalanches have run over the past few days on easterly aspects at all elevations. Some of them started up high on northeast-facing slopes and have been large enough to bury or kill a person. 

Large cornices have not been widespread across the forecast area this spring. However, there are a few, and some of those have fallen over the past few days. Similarly, rockfall has been observed recently, so keep your head up and your eyes on the slopes above.

Glide cracks have been opening in a few places where the snowpack is fully saturated. While a slab avalanche involving the entire season’s snowpack would be unlikely, the safest bet is to give slopes with these cracks some space.

I want to reiterate that these are not just the normal perils of spring. This is an unusual event, and it’s safer to expect the unexpected and increase your margins accordingly.

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